Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
This is a free event, but seats may be limited.
Today’s students scroll, stream, and swipe. What could happen if we used the same methods that capture their attention every day to teach the concepts that matter most?
In this dynamic session, three Macmillan Learning authors and teaching professors Jim Morris, Roger Freedman, and Steve Ross share classroom tested tactics for using humor, games, and pop culture to make course content more engaging and effective. You’ll hear from an intro psych professor who created teaching videos modeled after late-night comedy shows, a biology professor who translated some of the most viral pop culture games like Wordle to teach biological conceptual thinking, and a physics educator who uses comics and fandom to help students connect with abstract concepts.
These educators will demonstrate how humor, play, and cultural relevance not only grab students’ attention but also improve motivation and learning. Regardless of your discipline area, if you're looking for fresh inspiration or ready to reinvent your teaching approach, this session will give you practical strategies to meet students where they are to make course concepts click.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ullamco.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
James Morris is a Professor of Biology at Brandeis University. He teaches various courses for majors and non-majors, including introductory biology, evolution, genetics and genomics, epigenetics, comparative vertebrate anatomy, and a first-year seminar on Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. He is the recipient of numerous teaching awards from Brandeis and Harvard. His research focuses on epigenetics. He currently pursues this research with undergraduates to give them the opportunity to do genuine, laboratory-based research. Dr. Morris received a Ph.D. in genetics from Harvard University and an MD from Harvard Medical School. He was a Junior Fellow in the Society of Fellows at Harvard University and a National Academies Education Fellow and Mentor in the Life Sciences. He is also a reader for the AP® Biology exam and an author of Biology for the AP® Course.
Roger Freedman began his academic journey as an undergraduate at the University of California, studying at both the San Diego and Los Angeles campuses. He later earned his doctorate in theoretical nuclear physics from Stanford University. After completing his studies, he spent three years teaching and conducting research at the University of Washington before joining UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 1981. At UCSB, Dr. Freedman has taught in the Department of Physics as well as the College of Creative Studies, a program designed for exceptionally talented and driven undergraduates. In recent years, he has been instrumental in developing innovative, computer-based tools for teaching introductory physics and astronomy. A pioneer in modern teaching methods, he has embraced classroom response systems and championed the "flipped" classroom approach to enhance student engagement and learning at UCSB. Beyond academia, Roger holds a commercial pilot’s license and played a pivotal role in organizing the early San Diego Comic-Con, now renowned as the world’s largest popular culture convention.
Steve Ross is a psychology professor at Mid Michigan College known for his creative, humor-driven approach to teaching. He is the creator of Late Night Lectures, a series of fast, funny, and pedagogically sound videos designed to help students engage with core psychology concepts. His work focuses on making learning more memorable and relevant for today’s students.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ullamco.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ullamco.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
